Response Time
A conversation with a prominent NJ State PBA member
This month
Hackettstown Local 369 State Delegate Thomas Smith
The Vitals
• Grew up in Pohatcong Township in
Warren County
• Started with Hackettstown Police Depart-
ment in 2004
• State Delegate since 2017
• Local 369 President 2009-2017
• Local 369 Recording Secretary 2007-2009
• Hunterdon/Sussex/Warren County
Conference Trustee
• Member of NJ State PBA Political Action
Committee and Membership Committee
• New Jersey D.A.R.E. Offi cers Alliance
Recording Secretary
F irst Response
What prompted you to get involved in the PBA on the state and Local
levels?
To be quite honest, the fi rst couple of years of my career I kind of just sat in the audience at
Local meetings and listened. I never thought that maybe this was something for me. What
occurred when Chris Christie was governor inspired me to become an active PBA member. I
felt like everything that was happening to the union needed more help than just the day-to-
day operations of PBA leadership. I felt like we were being attacked and I wanted to be a part
of fi ghting back with the charge that (Past President) Tony Wieners and (then President) Pat
Colligan were leading.
Conversation pieces
When the Mansfi eld Township Police Department had other collective
bargaining representation, how did you help members make the
switch to become a PBA Local?
Mansfi eld Township was an FOP Lodge right next to Hackettstown. We had
discussions back and forth with our brothers next door for years about coming
together. At that point, I was very involved with the State PBA. I was passionate
about selling to them that the PBA is where it’s at. Our leadership is at the
forefront of this fi ght. We got together with a few people from the State PBA:
John Hulse, Pat Colligan, Kevin Lyons and a couple of other State Delegates from
the area. We put on a presentation for the Mansfi eld offi cers, explaining the
diff erences between the two organizations. Being next door to us, we wanted
them to come into our organization and really help us expand what we were
doing in the area.
How have you incorporated your computer science background into the
job?
I think incorporating my computer science background with my law enforce-
ment career was something that seemed necessary, since I have that ability and
knowledge. I wanted to incorporate tech into my skill set as a police offi cer and
make it a focal point of what I do. I’ve always had a special interest and focus on
keeping up with technology and staying on top of how it aff ects law enforce-
ment. It’s an element that’s creating new advances, but also new problems for
society. As the protectors of society, law enforcement has to stay on top of these
things.
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NEW JERSEY COPS
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What advice do you have for anyone trying to help build a new Local?
First of all, you should believe in what we do here. It’s easy to believe in this
organization. You need to convey the passion for how the PBA fi ghts for its
members. You need to explain that our resources are so much more in depth,
and they’re so much more accessible through the State PBA. It’s very clear to see
the reputation that the PBA leadership has.
What makes the PBA so strong?
Our membership and our involvement. You see a lot of programs that the State
PBA is involved with throughout the entire state. We’re extremely visible in
what we do. All you need to do is guide the folks who are looking to come to this
organization to see these things for themselves. Visible, vocal and dedicated – I
think those three qualities sell the organization.
What do you consider the most rewarding part of being a member?
Any time the PBA is able to accomplish something, whether it’s at the Local level
helping a member get through a diffi cult situation or negotiating a fair contract,
or when you see the State PBA accomplish the pension independence bill, that’s
a badge of honor that every member can wear. It instills a sense of pride and
you know that being involved in the PBA is something special. Not everybody
can do it because it is very time consuming, but you know that your time is well
spent when you see the progress that the PBA is making.
Last Response
What more would you like to accomplish with the PBA?
I’m personally looking forward to becoming more involved at the state level. If I’m preaching
at Local meetings that the members need to get more involved, well, then it’s my responsibil-
ity as a State Delegate to get more involved with the state. The State PBA can always use more
help, and it’s always benefi cial to give your Local a voice at the state level. Working on the
executive board isn’t for everybody, but just being involved should be for everybody because
at the end of the day, the PBA represents every single member.